Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

Comments

I've been to Boston quite a bit over the years, but mostly to the suburbs. This was the first time I've actually stayed in the core of the city. Cambridge was nice - my hotel was only a block from the offices where I was working, and the Cambridge Galleria mall was between the two.

You're thinking of going from a BMW to ... a ... CR-V? Wow, talk about culture shock. But, I totally get the rationale behind it. Dependable, room for the kids, good resale value. Certainly better than the Wrangler Unlimited you are also talking about.

A friend of mine bought a car like this a couple of years ago. It had more miles on it but it was still solid. She's not a car person and wants to spend as little as possible on transportation, so it was a good choice for her at the time. It ran well and was still solid, she drove it until she inherited a car a couple of years later.

Like you I'm always thinking about what to do when my lease is up in January 2014. The practical thing to do it buy it out, I like the G37....the engine is a little coarse but otherwise I do like the car and it's hard to beat for $31k. I could get a new Fusion or Accord for about the same money, but not sure I want to do that. The fun side of me wants to splurge on the new IS or Q50, and that gets into the lease vs. buy decision.

I know a CRV is kinda vanilla, non-offensive, & worlds apart as far as the way it drives compared to my BMW. Like I said last week, as much as I LOVE my BMW do I really need "the ultimate driving machine" for my 65 mile/day (6 days a week) commute along mostly highways?

Something I have used to quickly remove contaminants (sap especially) is a magic eraser type sponge. You'll need to use it with lots of water, but it kind of does the same thing. A quick wipe with one will smooth out paint, but removes wax too (it is kind of like a very fine sandpaper, in principle), so some work is needed.

The "Cigar Lighter" port stopped working (wouldn't charge my phone). After cursing myself for buying a British car, I had an epiphany: Check the fuse! I discovered that the XK has three fuse boxes: under hood, between the two rear seats and in the left "passenger footwell area." Of course, here in Los Estados Unidos, the left is the driver side, so of course I had to translate my English language owner's manual into Boston English...

Of course, it was the fuse. In the engine bay fuse box. Which you acccess by:Pop the hood.Remove four plastic screws from the black plastic shroud of elegance and remove.Remove the fuse box lid.Replace fuse.

As simple as CUE!

My next car? Discounting I now have eight straight years of college to pay for, wife is non too subtle in her desire to install a new, bigger deck, more interior house painting and new furniture, I'm thinking of staying in the Jag family: F-Type coupe or XF sedan. We'll see, I think I'm good for a while longer now that I bought new sneaks for the XK and have use of the old SUV while daughter is in college. Maybe trade the 11.5 year old RX for a newer, more economical SUV, maybe a used Rogue, CRV, RAV4? Mitsu Outlander?

(Note from Laurasdada's accountant: The preceeding paragraph is fantasy. He will be driving the mid-life crisis mobile for some time... )

NYC,We are similar in age, do your best to start a 401k or similar retirement account. I put 8% of my salary and my employer matches .50 on the dollar. I've been putting into it for almost 13 years and am stunned at the amount in there already. The 8% hit isn't that bad because it's not taxed.

Not trying to preach, but since I'm not a good saver I had to do something.

I love Boston as well. The wife and I had a long weekend planned there in March but had to cancel when my Stepdad got sick.

Fintail, I would have been scared to try Magic Eraser on paint. It did get ink of my ivory leather when nothing else would.

Thanks for the advice tjc78. You aren't preaching at all. We're all friends here. I have a ROTH IRA that up until maybe 4 years ago, I contributed to every year. My wife's 1st job matched her 403b contributions for the 5 years she worked there. I used to be fantastic at saving. Up until 3 years ago when we sold our condo for an almost $80,000 loss. Instead of having 20% to put down, I only had 10% and consequently have a rather large mortgage payment compared to what my wife & I make. My wife also makes $20,000 less than she did 3 years ago. Believe me, I'm not complaining at all. I've got a bunch of things in motion that will ease the squeeze in the coming months/years. I'm in the process of refinancing my mortgage (current rate is 5.125%, new rate will be 3.25%). My wife's Pilot will be paid off in 3 years. Once my Dad reaches 70 1/2 (he's 67), he's going to start collecting social security & I'll get a nice raise. When my kids are all in school, my wife will be able to work more.

I max out my employer match at 6%... but, I started at 10% in my 30s... bumped it up to 15% in my '40s.. and, 20% in my '50s.... My wife has, as well..

The 10% and 15% were the max allowed at the time... .but, now... the only cap is the $17,500 per year ($23K if you are over 50)... Both of our 401Ks are with Vanguard, and the plan has a lot of choices, so that helps..

I look back and wish I had been putting 20% away in my '30s... I'd be able to retire, right now (at 55).

But, starting next year... back to 6%.... My wife just got a buyout and retired.... so, we need some cash flow until she is eligible to draw on her retirement funds in three years... (at 59.5)

You are right about how fast it grows.... we have a stunning amount of money in our 401Ks (and, it still scares me it won't be enough..)

Ditto all the advice here, NYC. You can borrow to finance your kids education, buy a house, buy a few cars, but it's hard to borrow to finance a retirement. If you have a 401K at work, ensure you are, at the very minimum, maxing your contribution to get the full match. The earlier and more you contribute will allow the most powerful force on earth to work for you: compounding!

Up until a few years ago, we were fortunate enough to be able to both max our 401k contributions, but not wanting kids to have to borrow for their college, much is going to 529 plan now. Wife has a sizable 401k, she won't tell me how much... I'm trying to catch up...

For all the trials and tribulations of the stock market, our few winners have more than made up for my many losers. A dangerous game, but as history has shown, over the long haul, you can grow your nest egg. If only I had sold all my tech stocks back in 2000.... Or loaded up on Ford in 2008... Or the Powerball machines would, for once, pick the correct six numbers! I mean, every time I buy a ticket I give them the six numbers to return. How hard is it, really!!! :P

The only downside (well, other than not having the budget) is that the car is at Sweeney's in Cincinnati.

In addition to the Sedona Red 128i Weenie has a 135i M Sport. If it wasn't black on black I'd probably hold my nose and go look at it. Its service history is good- based on what my BMW source told me. The 128i isn't a SP car which makes it a non-starter for me.

Not a car, but a local bike dealer got a couple Honda CB500 series bikes in, and I looked at them yesterday. I like what I see.

Debating whether I'd want the F (naked) or X (kind of a dual sport/street hybrid) more - I don't think I'd want the faired version. I rode a dual sport last weekend (an older Yamaha with a very touchy throttle and loud non-existent exhaust system), my first time on one - and I was surprised how comfortable it was, and easy to do precise maneuvers.

I haven't driven one myself, but that 128i, particularly with a stick, should be plenty fun to drive. We drove up to Ft. Collins over the weekend for their "Taste of Ft. Collins" and took my wife's 328 - I drove back home and thought to myself how fun it is to drive that car. I like the pull of my 335, but there's definitely something engaging to n/a inline-6 and a stick shift.

If you like the non-sports seats Michael, it would certainly be a nice option for you (whether it's that one or you find one local).

So I've had like 5-6 legitimately interested buyers on the 530i, and only one has been local. I've had callers from California, Tennessee, Vermont and Maryland. The latest is from Vermont - seems really interested and tentatively plans to fly out with a friend the first weekend of July to drive it back, assuming we come to terms on the price.

We'll see - I'm not surprised this has turned into a long-distance sale, but those always provide some challenges. Though the 318ti was an out of state sale, and it worked out just fine.

but there's definitely something engaging to n/a inline-6 and a stick shift.

I have test driven a 3-series coupe with a stick and was amazed at how much pull there is from "only" 230HP. Just so smooth.

I know that many folks don't like the odd proportions of the 1-series, but I think that's part of the attraction to me. I think it will be the "odd man out" as time passes - the next gen 1-series will be FWD, and the direct replacement (2-series) will most likely be larger, heavier and have less feel than the current car. And, will probably have the turbo-4 rather than the inline-6.

And, the 1-series is only available in RWD, which limits the appeal in those parts of the country who have to live with poor weather part of the year.